Splenectomy in human immunodeficiency virus-related thrombocytopenia

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of splenectomy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐related thrombocytopenia, 30 HIV‐infected patients with thrombocytopenia (platelet count 9/l) who underwent splenectomy were followed prospectively for a mean period of 42 months. There were no perioperative deaths and morbidity was minimal. Twenty‐one patients had a persistent complete response, six had a partial response and were asymptomatic after splenectomy, and only three showed no response. Three patients developed acquired immune deficiency syndrome during follow‐up, an incidence that was no different from that expected. Splenectomy is a safe and effective treatment in HIV‐infected patients with severe symptomatic thrombocytopenic purpura resistant to medical therapy.